Rumour Mill-Pitman and Vokes but no Chaplow?

Rumours suggesting Southampton`s Richard Chaplow could be returning to Burnley as part of a player/cash deal for Jay Rodriguez appear to have been dashed this week.

The media fuelled speculation this week that Jay Rodriguez looks very likely to be joining Southampton in a £7 million deal. Mischief maker, Alan Nixon in the Daily Mirror also suggested the deal could involve former Burnley midfielder, Richard Chaplow coming the other way as part of a player/cash deal.

Both Chaplow and the club though were quick to pour cold water on the suggestion so it looks like Nixon is once again somewhat wide of the mark. Eddie Howe this week confirmed Chaplow was not one of his targets. Chaplow also made his position clear by saying:

'I am still a Saints player and it's somewhere I want to stay for a long time.'

However, it is now widely expected that Jay Rodriguez will leave Turf Moor in the summer with Southampton now in pole position to sign him and so the local media have been speculating on potential replacements. It is thought that Eddie Howe could still be looking to bring former Wolves loan striker, Sam Vokes to Turf Moor in a permanent deal following Wolves relegation. He spent the latter half of last season on loan at Brighton but it is thought that the Seagulls will not be looking to sign him in the summer despite the player intimating he would like to join them on a permanent deal. That could open the door for Burnley to try and snap him up following his successful loan spell at the club in the first part of last season.

Another reported target is Bristol City striker, Brett Pitman. Pitman has been a thorn in the Clarets side for many a season and always tends to score against us so will he now be given the opportunity to score for us under his former gaffer at Bournemouth, Eddie Howe?

The Jersey-born forward, now 24, started his career with Bournemouth spending six years at the club and making over 170 appearances. His strike rate whilst at Dean Court was about one goal in every three games. In August 2010, Pitman looked set to join newly promoted Premier League club, Blackpool for about £400,000 but the deal fell through due to the player being unable to agree personal terms. Instead he arrived at Ashton Gate a few days later that month for an undisclosed fee thought to be in the region of £800,000. He managed to net 13 goals in his first season from 21 games but recently has not been a regular starter for the Robins.

Pitman will be out of contract next summer and it is thought that £400,000 might be enough to secure his services.

It is not the first time that Burnley have been linked with the player. The club tried to bring Pitman in Turf Moor during the last transfer window in January when it became clear that Sam Vokes would not be returning on loan.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.